Mrs. Pelham Odin looked distinctly nervous. Carried away by her theatrical instincts, and by admiration for Gerald's chivalry, to say nothing of the interest she felt in his love affair as a woman much less sentimental would have done, she had proposed the plot without thinking that she would be taken seriously. Yet here was a young man whom she admired actually asking her to lend herself to a fantastical mode of concealment such as had never, to her knowledge, been seen off the stage. Her dramatic instinct impelled her to yield: but her common-sense warned her against mixing herself up in a murder committed by a lunatic. "Dear boy," she said, genuinely distressed, "it really is impossible." "You proposed it, Mrs. Pelham Odin," muttered Gerald, sorely disappointed, for if this actress did not help him, how was he to conceal Mavis from the persecutions of Rebb? "I did not think that you would take me at my word," she faltered, "and after all, Mr. Haskins, Major Rebb might find out." "I don't think so. I don't see how he could." "If he comes to the theatre?" "He will see the girl he believes to be Charity, dancing." "But is this Mavis Durham really so like my girl?" "They might be sisters--they might be twins. It would take you all your time to find the difference between them, Mrs. Pelham Odin." "Oh, that is impossible," she retorted sharply. "No. When you see Mavis----" "I am not going to see Mavis." Gerald rose--he had thrown himself down when she so persistently refused. "In that case I must apologize for taking up your time, and see in what other way I can save this innocent girl." "You are sure that she is innocent?" "As sure as I am that you are a kind woman." Mrs. Pelham Odin smiled. "That is very clever of you," said she: "you appeal to my weakest side, which is vanity. Come sit down again, and tell me all about this dreadful murder." "Will you assist me, if I do?" "At least I won't betray you," rejoined the actress evasively, and arranged herself gracefully on the sofa. "Begin; I hang upon your every word." And she cast a glance at an imaginary audience to mark the effect of the speech. Thinking that she might yield, for he had certainly aroused her curiosity, Gerald related all that had taken place. Mrs. Pelham Odin quite lost her stage airs and graces, so taken up was she with the narrative. "So you see that Arnold believes in Mavis' innocence as much as I do. And you believe also, Mrs. Pelham Odin. I see it in your eyes." The actress closed them. "My eyes tell what my tongue would hide," she remarked, in measured tones. "Yes, I admit that your story puts the matter in a new light. I really think that I must assist this poor young creature, who is being persecuted by a cruel world." "Bless you for a good woman," muttered Gerald, kissing her hand.